An orange cat sat in his old beat up car, idling in front of his friend's house. Even with the engine running, and the heater on, he could still feel a little bit of the chilling cold biting at him. The sun had long since set below the horizon, setting the winter sky ablaze in beautiful warm colors. Paulo checked the time on the fading neon green digital clock above the radio. He grimaced, It was getting rather late, and he had work early tomorrow. He just wished the korat inside the house would hurry up and get his tail out there. This whole venture was his idea, and Paulo still had to wait.

He sat back with his arms folded, looking out through the windshield at Mike's door with a rather annoyed look on his face. Mike had come to him the previous day asking him if he wanted to go to some holiday festival at the Roseville Botanical Gardens. It was an odd request to be sure, but for whatever reason Paulo agreed (so long as Mike spotted him the gas money). Paulo had half a mind to put the car in reverse and forget the whole thing when the small gray cat he was there to pick up came rushing out the house, still frantically trying to zip up his jacket. Paulo leaned over to unlock the door for him, and Mike slid into the passenger seat.

"S-sorry!" Mike squeaked as he shut the car door and fumbled with the seatbelt. He could feel Paulo's eyes burning into the back of his head. Mike gave him an apologetic look. "I had to help clear the table… took longer than I thought."

Paulo grunted in acknowledgement. He looked forward and got the car in gear. "Where is this place? I've never been there."

"Ah, it's not too far." Mike said, getting comfortable in his seat and adjusting the air vents so they focused on him. "I can guide you there!"

"Sounds good." Was all Paulo managed to say, trying to keep his annoyance hidden. This felt like it was something special for Mike and he wanted to keep it light.

They didn't say much else, as Paulo was concentrating on following Mike's instructions, and Mike was too busy trying to hide his blush by looking out the window. He hoped that the window's reflection wouldn't betray him. The whole time, Paulo was thinking about how long this outing would take. He was about to ask Mike, when the korat beat him to talking. "Thank you for coming tonight." He said to the window.

Paulo gave a weak smile. "No problem, bud. It'll be fun." Though he couldn't help but feel Mike would get more out of it than he ever would. Mike was always into some fruity thing like festivals and flowers. Hell, Mike even played a flower mage in that online game he and the others played.

But then Mike said something that put a small dent in Paulo's disgruntledness. "Really, I mean it." Mike said in a really genuine tone. "Thank you. It means a lot." Paulo had a moment to look at the korat with a small bit of surprise. Mike's face looked really soft in the glow of the street lights.

Paulo shook the moment out of his head. "Y-yeah. I know." Mike smiled and looked back out the window. Up ahead, he could see the multicolored lights from the festival.

"Oh! There it is!" Mike said excitedly, eyes alight with the prospect of a fulfilling night at the festival.

It didn't take long for Paulo to pull into the packed parking lot, but parking was another story. Mike gawked with wide eyes at the sights and sounds that awaited them inside. Paulo couldn't help but crane his neck to get quick glances at the festival either. After a few false alarms, Paulo managed to find a spot a little ways away. There was an ocean of cars between them and the front gates. Paulo put the car in park. "Alright, let's do this." He said, though in his mind, it was more like, 'Let's get this over with.'

Mike was out faster than he was. Paulo'd rarely seen him this giddy, not since Sandy. "I can't wait! This place is great, I'm telling you."

They walked together between the cars to the front. "You've been here before?" Paulo asked.

"Oh yeah, plenty of times. My family comes every year." Mike explained cheerfully.

Paulo raised an eyebrow. "Why not this year?"

"We already went." Mike replied as they got closer to the gates. The sounds from the festival were getting louder, and delicious smells wafted to them, drawing them in.

"Then why-" Paulo started, but he was cut off by a sudden outburst from Mike.

"Here we are!" He said, pointing, eyes shimmering from all the brightly colored lights. They walked through the entrance building, which was decked out in garland and lights itself. Off the garland hung shiny baubles and ornaments that bounced the light around. There was also a massive hearth with a large fire to match it. The front desk was offering blankets and maps. Beyond the building was a dirt path weaved between the endless sea of stalls, each one uniquely decorated and offering different products.

Some sold food, warm mugs of hot chocolate, cakes and candies. Others, soaps and clothes, a few had toys. Nothing really caught Paulo's attention. For him, if you'd been to one festival, you'd been to them all. It wasn't the same for Mike. Despite already having been to the festival, he still liked looking at everything, and showing some items of interest to Paulo, who merely gave them uninterested glances, with the occasional "Cool."

At the end of the pathway was a sizable lake, covered in a sheet of ice. Around it were signs posted, warning of the danger it posed. 'WARNING: THIN ICE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WALK ON.' On the edge of the lake were more Christmas decorations, and a few people taking a breather from the packed crowd and stalls.

As they walked, Mike pointed out a string of amber lights that hung over the pathway. "Aren't they nice?"

"Mmm?" Paulo was lost in his thoughts, most of which included crawling into a warm bed. It was terribly cold, and that was for him. He had no idea how Mike was able to stand it, with his fur being so short. He followed Mike's gaze upward as they walked. It was very crowded on the path, so as he walked, Paulo stumbled into some people, who gave him annoyed looks, only adding to his annoyment. "Yeah, I guess they're fine."

"I think they match your eyes, too." Mike ssid shyly, and so quietly that Paulo couldn't make out exactly what he said, even if there wasn't the sounds of a bustling festival around them.

"What was that?" The somali asked, looking back down, but Mike was already on his way to the next thing. One part of Mike was beating himself up for making such a comment, the other reason for him moving on so quickly was to hide the blush on his face. His heart hammered in his chest, he wanted to compliment Paulo, but it made his stomach go funny. It was as though a million little butterflies were set free all at once, all trying to burst out of him. "Mike, wait up!" Paulo said, running after him, trying not to lose the little korat in the dense crowd.

Fortunately for Mike, a distraction came up. There was a hot chocolate vendor, and he was freezing. He slowed his gait to allow Paulo to catch up, and when he did, he asked, "Would you like some hot chocolate?"

"That sounds great, actually." Paulo was cold as well, though not to the same degree as Mike. He had thicker fur, but the low temperature was starting to get to him. He couldn't imagine how Mike felt. As they stood in line for the warm beverage, they talked a little.

"What do you think of the festival?" Mike asked, with a hint of anxiousness in his voice. It was something that meant a great deal to him, and he wanted to share it with Paulo. Mike hoped that Paulo would enjoy it as much as he did, and maybe even want to go back next year, or to other events. The Roseville Botanical Gardens hosted similar things throughout the year, and Mike hadn't gotten the courage to ask his friend to come with him until now.

Paulo had to find an answer between the truth and a lie. He appreciated Mike, he was a great friend, but gardens and festivals just weren't his speed. "It's… pretty cool." He said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Mike smiled, but as the line moved up, Paulo's thoughts began to wander to how late it was getting. Finally, they reached the stall, and Mike insisted on paying.

"It's only fair." He said. "You drove us here."

They took their hot chocolates and walked over to the icy lakes' edge to get some air. At the very least, if the rest of the night was lame, the hot chocolate would be nice. It was one of the things Paulo looked forward to most about the winter temperatures. It smelled great, and Paulo took a deep, yet cautious, sip.

And he immediately made a face of disgust as he gulped it down. He looked at the decorative foam cup questioningly. "Did they make this with water?"

Mike, who was quite enjoying his, looked up from his cup that he was holding close to him for warmth. "Yeah."

"Eugh." Paulo wretched flatly. "Never make hot chocolate with water. It ruins it."

Mike's heart sank. "Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's whatever. I wasn't really thirsty anyway." Paulo lowered his cup. He'd use it as a hand warmer for now.

They stood awkwardly for a few moments. Mike didn't know if he should keep enjoying his cup or not. Paulo was thinking of asking if they could just go. Before he could make up his mind, a voice came over the PA system that was set up around the stalls. "The Christmas Canons show will begin shortly. Please make your way to the bleachers by the amphitheater."

Paulo's eyes lit up and he looked around. "A canon show? Now that's what I'm talking about!" Perhaps tonight wouldn't be so lame after all. "C'mon Mike, which way to the amphitheater?"

Mike looked down past his hot chocolate to his feet. He never attended the Christmas Canon show due to his sensitive hearing. Even from afar it was jarring to listen to. "I… I don't know…"

Paulo was beginning to let his frustration show. "You don't know where the amphitheater is? Don't you come here all the time?"

"I know where it is, I just… never have gone to the show." It pained Mike to say it, the canon show seemed to be the one thing Paulo had shown genuine interest in that night. "It… hurts…"

Paulo sighed. "Really?"

"I'm sorry." Mike whispered.

"No, I'm sorry. Mike, this just isn't my thing. I have work early tomorrow, I don't really care for flowers and crap, this hot chocolate is terrible, and the one thing I actually want to do you can't." Paulo ranted, pacing back and forth in agitation. He tossed his hot chocolate in a nearby trash can.

A lump formed in Mike's throat. He felt really foolish. Not only was Paulo having a bad time, he was completely tearing apart something Mike loved. Mike wanted to share it with him because it was special to him. "I understand..." The korat said shakily, throwing his hot chocolate away as well. "I really just… wanted to spend time with you…"

The background noise faded away from them, along with the rest of the world. Paulo softened at Mike's words. "What? Why?"

"Because…" Mike stepped closer to the somali. He may as well say it, it wasn't like the night could get any worse, but he couldn't find the words. While he looked longingly into the somalis eyes, they got stopped in his throat. Perhaps words couldn't express what he was feeling if they did come out. Instead, Mike pushed himself up on Paulo, kissed him on the lips, and then ran off.

Paulo stood, stunned, trying to work out what had just happened. Surely he imagined it, there's no way that Mike kissed him. The fact now was that Mike was gone. Paulo looked around and saw Mike heading to the lake. The tears in his eyes prevented him from really seeing where he was going, and from all the danger signs posted around the ice's edge.

"Mike! Stop!" Paulo yelled, but it was too late. Mike took a few slick steps onto the ice before realizing his mistake. Other people were beginning to look, their attention drawn by Paulo's yelling.

Mike slid to a stop, looking down at the endless patch of ice before him. The shore seemed like miles away. Under his feet, the ice crackled and groaned, unhappy with the new weight that was being put up in it. Mike didn't know what to do. He was afraid if he moved the ice would break and he would fall through, but it was clear that staying put was also not an option. Paulo stood helplessly on the edge, debating whether he should try to run out there to get him, or if he should tell him to walk back. The weight of one cat had made the ice scream, and it didn't take a genius to figure out that two cats would shatter it.

"P-Paulo…" Mike stuttered, starting to shake from fright. If he fell in, who knew if he could make it back out. The cold water could seize his small frame up, and that's on top of possibly getting stuck under the ice while disoriented.

"It's alright buddy, just come back the way you came, okay?" Paulo called.

Mike nodded his head and took a timid step forward to the edge. The ice creaked, but didn't so much as splinter. Mike took a few more light steps over the protesting ice. The whole way through, Paulo encouraged him. As Mike crossed over, a security guard walked over. "What's going on here? Are you kids daring each other to walk on the lake again?"

"No! It was an accident." Paulo explained. "He'll be off it soon."

"I'm almost there!" Mike called over the crackling. One step, then another, and another, then… CRACK! Mike stopped dead in his tracks, heart racing. He looked down, frantically looking for the fracture, but he didn't see any. Paulo's tail went stiff, but as Mike stayed on steady ground, things relaxed.

"Easy, kid…" The security guard cautioned.

Mike nodded, and lifted another foot to step forward. The ice beneath him split open, and time slowed down. Mike had no time to react as the world around him moved. Paulo launched himself forward, but was stopped by the guard. "You'll fall in yourself!"

Paulo struggled against his grip. "Let me go! He'll freeze to death!"

"Let me help him!" The guard said. "If you want to help, go to the front and grab a blanket."

Paulo stopped wriggling. "Fine!"

The jacket Mike wore did nothing against the sub zero waters. The water was knives against his fur, though he did not bleed. Instead it weighed him down, dragging him under. Mike thrashed about, trying to keep his head above water. It was no use, the water was so bone chilling it knocked the wind out of him. He gasped for air, and splashes of water got in his mouth, mixed with cold air, and stung his insides. Just as he felt his energy leaving him, a hand grabbed him and pulled him up. "I got ya, son."

Mike was barely conscious as the guard led him carefully over the ice to the shore. Meanwhile, Paulo was sprinting back with a thick blanket he'd been given by the people in the entrance building. "Outta the way! Outta the way!" He yelled as he barreled through other festival patrons. They gave him mean and annoyed looks but he didn't care, he had to get to Mike. If he hadn't been such a selfish ass, Mike wouldn't have run off, wouldn't have- Paulo shook his head. No time to beat himself up, Mike needed him.

Paulo arrived as Mike finally found firm land again. Mike's knees gave out and he collapsed onto the ground. The somali rushed the last bit and put the blanket around Mike, swaddling the teen as best as he could. "P-p-p-paul-lo." Mike whispered weakly.

"It's okay, buddy, I'm here." He said, hugging the blanket around Mike. Paulo could feel the cold radiating off the korat, who shivered and shook.

"We need to get him inside where it's warm." Advised the guard.

"Do you think you can make it to the building?" Paulo asked Mike. Mike gave a shaky nod. "I'm gonna help you up, okay?"

Paulo put his arms under Mike and lifted him to his feet. With the security guard clearing the way, Paulo guided Mike to the entrance building. It wasn't easy going, even with the open path. Mike stumbled and nearly fell a few times, but Paulo was there to keep him upright. Once inside, the guard bid them farewell, and Paulo and Mike made a beeline for the large stone hearth. The fire was still roaring inside, and warm as ever. There was an open spot near the flame, and this is where the boys found their spot.

Mike's legs gave way, unable to take another step, and Paulo eased him to a sitting position. From there, Paulo continued to swaddle the little grey korat, who snuggled up under the orange cats' chin. Paulo went a little warm himself, in the cheeks. Mike looked into the fire, his cheeks matching Paulos'. "I'm sorry." Mike said. "This was my fault."

"Don't be stupid!" Paulo scoffed. Mike was always blaming himself for other people's mistakes. "I was the one being an ass!"

"But I invited you." Mike sighed. "I should have known you wouldn't like it."

Paulo had no strong feelings for the festival either way before coming. It was just something Mike invited him to. "I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't want to go." They sat in silence some more. Paulo thought about the kiss, which still lingered on his lips. "Did that kiss have anything to do with it?"

Mike was feeling the heat now. He hid his face behind the blanket. "Guh! I'm sorry about that!"

"Don't be." Paulo laughed. "It shut me up for sure." Mike smiled a little underneath the blanket. Feeling was coming back to his body again. "Hey, I think I know how to heat you up faster."

Mike looked up at his friend. "How? Toss me into the fire."

Paulo gave a suave smile, the one he'd give to girls to swoon them. "Nope. This." Paulo leaned down and kissed Mike, just as Mike had done to him earlier. Mike went stiff, surprised by the sudden display of affection. They'd had a conversation before about Paulo possibly liking guys, but Mike never suspected he actually would.

The kiss worked its magic on Mike, even before it was over. Mike smiled contentedly and went back to snuggling against Paulo. A few passersby gave them odd looks, but Paulo shot them one right back, as if to say, 'What are YOU looking at?'

Mike slowly got back to his normal warm state, and the festival wound down. They were allowed to stay until closing, but afterwards the security guard from earlier had to usher them out. "Try not to go ice skating on any more lakes." He said.

"We won't." Mike assured him. "Sorry about that."

Mike and Paulo traversed the empty parking lot to his car. There were warm feelings between them, but there was still an elephant in the room. Mike decided to address it. "Paulo?"

"Mm?" Said the somali, reaching for his car keys.

"Did you mean it? When you… y'know…" Mike was too embarrassed to say the rest.

Paulo's eyes went wide and he went deep red. "Well, you see… I… it was…" He didn't know how to feel about it. It was so sudden, in the heat of the moment. Both boys stopped at the car. "I don't know."

Mike felt his heart sink a little. "Ah. That's okay. Thanks for it anyway." He went to get in the passenger seat, but Paulo stopped him.

He put a hand on his shoulder. "But, I would be interested in finding out."

Mike smiled a little. "I would like that."